Thursday, June 4, 2009

When I went to DC to visit my friends Racheal and Lee, I baked a bit and picked up some buttermilk for a cake. Unfortunately, Lee took a swig of the buttermilk thinking it was regular milk.

I'm just sorry I missed the look on his face.

Light and easy to make coffee cake with walnut & cinnamon crumb topping

This morning I found myself heading to a presentation at another library and, in a blatant attempt to literally butter up my audience, I was looking for something to bring. And I had buttermilk in the fridge.

I was feeling old school and picked up the Better Homes and Garden New Cook Book (11th edition, 1996). You know, the red plaid cover!!

They call this the Buttermilk Coffee Cake. The note says, "Back by popular demand, this breakfast treat was known as Cowboy Coffee Cake in previous editions of this cookbook."

Put aside 1/2 cup of the crumb mixture and combine with 1/2 cup nuts. I used walnuts. Love the "Walnut Baking Pieces" from Trader Joe's...no need to cut or trim. The nuts aren't optional...you really need them to add crunch and texture.

In a separate bowl, combine these two ingredients and then add (all at once) to the flour mixture:2 eggs, beaten1 1/3 cups buttermilk or sour milk

Since the crumb mixture contained cold butter, I wasn't sure how to "mix well". It didn't say to make it smooth so I mixed it (by hand) well enough to combine everything and left these little bits of butter. See them? Well, it turned out fine.

Pour into a greased 13 x 9 pan (I always line it with parchment paper). Sprinkle the topping over the batter. Bake at 350 degrees for 35 to 40 minutes.

That looks really delicious. I like the name Cowboy Coffee Cake the best. Have you ever tried to make your own buttermilk? I hear its really easy, just add vinegar? I always buys buttermilk for baking then don't know what to do with the leftovers...

I'm trying to imagine cowboys sitting around eating? making? this cake! I agree about the walnut baking pieces from TJ's - use them for everything. And the pre-toasted pecan ones are also fab. Bookmarking this cake.

I'm so glad to see this! This recipe is in my old 1941 edition of the BHG red plaid book (I collect them, it wasn't a wedding gift!) About 6 months ago, I was in the same pinch for something quick and used the recipe named "Coffee Cake" from the same book. It had the best cake of any I've ever tasted, so good that I've been going back through that old book and trying out other recipes. They have all been wonderful. What did I expect, right? They are all tested recipes so how could they fail! Now, thanks to you FL, I'll try the Cowboy Coffeecake.

He ain't gonna swig milk in a hurry again...LOL! Love this coffee cake.Bookmarked. My kids make me bake the Cinnamon Choc Bundt Cake so often, I think they need a change. Walnuts in anything is good for me, though I don't have the luxury of chopped bits in a bag! but for this, I'll happily chop some.